Interview with Illustrator Christina Wald

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m thrilled to be back this week with an illustrator interview! I love all the authors and author/illustrators we have on Critter Lit, of course, but It’s not often I get to feature an illustrator. Today we have an immensely talented illustrator who has illustrated over 60 books! She’s here to tell us all about her new books (4 came out last year!) and some insight into her process.

So without further ado, please welcome Christina Wald!

Where do you live?

Cincinnati, Ohio

How many years have you been in publishing?

Since the early 90s. I started doing Children's books in 2005.

How did you first get published?

I first did art for role-playing games in the 90s. I took my portfolio to conventions and eventually did work for Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings books and cards. I refocused my portfolio in the early 2000s and my first picture book was in 2005 for Publications International. It was Look, Find & Learn: Animals of the World. I got my first books from art directors seeing my portfolio online starting with Scholastic. I did art for Scholastic News for many years.

Do you illustrate full-time?

Yes.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love the medium and form of storytelling. I am now getting into writing but it is tricking because my schedule fills so quickly. My book about sketching just went to print and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had to project manage, write, hire and editor and designer, and create any additional artwork. It makes me respect all those roles in a new way. I am used to doing all my illustrations and handing them off to the designer. It has also emboldened me to write more for children's books and comics. This is a great time to fuel your own dream projects. I have so many ideas.

What surprised you the most working as an illustrator?

Each project is so different. No two books are alike and it can be hard to predict how long it will take to paint. There are so many factors.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

The creative freedom and the joy of doing something I love. Every part of the process is so interesting. I love researching whatever animal I am illustrating or figuring out the look and design of characters and the spaces they inhabit in the story.

I have traveled to many places to research for books I had to illustrate. Once, I met with bat rescuers for a book I illustrated by Carole Gerber called Little Red Bat. I also went to Montana for The Wild Life of Elk by Donna Love, which was a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the US Forest Service. Most recently, I went to Switzerland to photograph a village I was illustrating for Werd & Weber. Sometimes I meet with scientists and contact people for illustration details for historical illustrations.

Thumbnailing and researching a new book is so full of excitement and possibility.

What do you find difficult working as an illustrator?

Scheduling and planning. I am always working on several projects and am booked through 2025. I have to make sure I make time for family, travel, and interests. Balance is so difficult and yet very important. Illustrating a children's book is like running a marathon and a graphic novel is like 10 marathons. You cannot finish one in a couple of all-nighters.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Through urban sketching and my sketchbook. Getting into urban sketching made me remember why I love drawing.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I try to sketch every day.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

People are so supportive. I had a friend send my portfolio to his editor when I was first getting into kid's books and recently, I got a really nice referral from another illustrator for a really cool book. There is so much generosity. I have several groups of artist friends I meet with online and we share our projects and talk about the business.

Recommended reading?

My favorite books growing up were the McCloskey books like Blueberries for Sal and the Francis series by Russell and Lillian Hoban. My current favorites are Dan Santat (Oh No! Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World, Beekle), David Wiesner (Mr. Wuffles is GENIUS), and Aaron Becker (Journey).

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

That is tough to say, I have had the opportunity to work on some really cool books with many amazing authors and teams. I had the opportunity to illustrate the San Diego Zoo's Centennial picture book in 2015 and Sloth's Treehouse Inn is with the same team from the zoo. I also recently illustrated about about Kew Gardens (Return to Kew Gardens) by Marsha Varrow which had really lovely characters and is unique. It was also really exciting to work with Mazza Museum.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started illustrating?

Be patient.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Sloth's Treehouse Inn came out last fall. It is about Santiago the sloth letting all his animal friends live in his tree to escape the destruction of the rainforest. It was so fun to illustrate. Sloths are a favorite animal of mine, I love their faces. The Cincinnati Zoo and the San Diego Zoo have the same species of sloth so I went to the Cincinnati Zoo to sketch and watch them.

Studies for SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN by Carrie Hasler, Illustrated by Christina Wald

Interior sketches for SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN by Carrie Hasler, Illustrated by Christina Wald

Interior art from SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN by Carrie Hasler, Illustrated by Christina Wald

I actually had 4 books (Sloth's Treehouse Inn, Return to Kew Gardens, The Train Rolls On to the North Pole, and Alp Nik) come out late last year. COVID was a crazy time and a bunch was released at once. I also had a book re-release from Storey Publications called The Barnyard.

Interior art from THE TRAIN ROLLS ON TO THE NORTH POLE written by Jodi Adams, Illustrated by Christina Wald

What’s up next for you?

I am finishing Hadori Stands Up by Shari Lyon. Shari wrote the San Diego Zoo Centennial book and this is the 4th in her Read to Me, Sing to Me series. It is about a hippo who stands up to poachers to save her friends. It is a really moody and cool book with a earworm song. It will be available soon through Kickstarter, stay tuned but following my Instagram or blog. I also have two more train books coming up. The latest, The Train Rolls On to the North Pole, came out in fall 2022. The one I am working on is The Train Rolls On to the County Fair. I have a couple more books lined up to be revealed soon.

Interior sketches from Hadori Stands Up written by Shari Lyon, illustrated by Christina Wald

Interior art from Hadori Stands Up written by Shari Lyon, illustrated by Christina Wald

Interior art from Hadori Stands Up written by Shari Lyon, illustrated by Christina Wald

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Keep creating work and stories. Don't get distracted by comparing yourself to other creators online. Focus on the type of art you want to do and love; it is the road to happiness.

And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?

Madeline, of course.

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Huge thank you to Christina for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your new books!

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CHRISTINA WALD is a designer, illustrator, and educator. She has illustrated over 60 picture books, many about animals of all types! She also teaches illustration and narrative story telling at Northern Kentucky University. She loves to travel and sketch all over the world and just got back from New Zealand. Her book Sloth's Treehouse Inn came out in the fall and Sketching Here & Everywhere is out at the end of May. Mazza Museum acquired some of her works a couple years ago for their collection and the Toledo Children's Library also has a piece of her work from Little Red Bat. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and 3 cats.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Christina follow her on online: christinawald.com or follow her on Instagram: @christinawald_art

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 25th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Matthew Cordell

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with extremely talented, Caldecott medalist, author and illustrator Matthew Cordell! His newest illustrated book, FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, came out early this year and is the third book in their picture book trilogy featuring Sadie and and her Aunt Josephine. It has received starred reviews from both Booklist and The Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books, and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. FOLLOW THAT FROG is a must have for your library. I’m a huge fan of Matthew’s work and I’m thrilled to have him stop by Critter Lit today!

So without further ado, please welcome Matthew Cordell!

Where do you live?

I live in the far northern suburbs of Chicago. A little town called Gurnee.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My very first publishing gig was a middle grade novel called The Gorillas of Gill Park by Amy Gordon. That came out in 2003 from Holiday House so... (takes out calculator) 18 years!

How did you first get published?

My wife, author Julie Halpern, and I were submitting a picture book proposal around to a number of publishers in 2001-2002. One publisher, Holiday House, asked me if I would be interested, instead, in illustrating a middle grade novel. Of course, I jumped at the chance. It was a terrific first project to get my feet wet as an illustrator. Incidentally, the picture book Julie and I were hoping to get published, Toby and the Snowflakes, happily found a home with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (simply called Houghton Mifflin at the time) and was published in 2004.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes. I worked as an illustrator nights and weekends for 7 years until I made the leap to go full-time in 2007.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love the audience. Children are tremendously inspiring to me. They are bursting with hope, potential, beauty, and brilliance. Everything is new to them and they are open to new experiences. And they are open and honest about their feelings. It's exciting to create art in this space. I'm a big picture book fan. I love the storytelling dance between words and pictures. Picture books are immensely challenging to make. To create a book that speaks to both a child and an adult is quite the task. When it works, it's absolute magic!

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

Up until I met Julie and she suggested the idea of making a children's book together, It had never occurred to me. I'd been an artist in different ways all my life, but I hadn't thought about children's books since I, myself, was a child. I didn't have children in my life at the time. Honestly, initially, it didn't sound very appealing. But Julie won me over by showing me lots of lots of picture books. Her childhood favorites as well as contemporary successes. I was blown away by how incredible picture books could be. I'd completely forgotten! Once I started working with publishers, and sharing books with children, it was all so tremendously inspiring. I loved it. I love it. So... what surprised me the most about working as an author/illustrator? All of it.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I think it's a tie. Being able to draw everyday for my job. And getting to hang out with kids all the time for my job.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Being, essentially, a freelance artist, it can be stressful at times, not having the stability of other jobs. Health insurance, regular paycheck, job security, etc. But there's an invaluable freedom in my situation that I wouldn't trade for anything.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I try to get away from my desk--every day if I can--to go for walks out in nature. It helps to break away from what I'm working on, and to get the blood pumping, and to immerse myself in the outdoors. I love animals and I'm really into birding. I sometimes bring my sketchbook and draw. I often get new ideas and jot them down. I have high cholesterol too, so a daily walk is a win-win.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I'm very much a creature of habit. I've been drawing with the same brand of ink for years with the same type of pen nibs on the same brand of paper. If I find something that I like, I'm not usually looking around for something different or better. Sometimes, though, I wouldn't mind breaking out of my shell to try new things and experiment with new media and techniques.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

When I was first starting out and didn't know very many people at all, Julie and I were at an ALA cocktail reception. I was standing against a wall feeling and looking awkward as can be. Someone came up and introduced himself to me. He recognized my name on my name tag and remembered some mailers or postcards I'd sent his way. We had a nice conversation and he was very kind about my work. I was genuinely surprised and moved by the gesture he made. It was David Gale, longtime editor at Simon and Schuster. In the years that followed, whenever I saw him at conferences, we would say hello and have a nice chat. Sadly, David passed away last year, but I'll always remember that party and his kindness and the warm welcome he showed when I really needed it.

Recommended reading?

My new, favorite new-to-me book is Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr. I've been obsessed with owls and owling this winter, and several folks suggested I look at Owl Moon. I knew of it, of course, being a Caldecott medal-winning book, but I had never seen it. (I'm embarrassed to say!) I bought a copy from my local bookshop and it most definitely lives up to the praise. It is a perfect picture book. Perfect text. Perfect art. It really captures the spirit of birding, owling, sharing a magical experience between father and child. I love it so much.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Without a doubt, when Wolf in the Snow received the Caldecott Medal in 2018. It was a shock, surprise, explosion of emotions, and it still gets me choked up. It's hard to fathom that a book of mine is part of that rich and wonderful legacy.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

That on top of writing and illustrating, you'll need to work as a public speaker, publicist, amateur educator and mentor, and other unexpected crash course, odd jobs. There are a lot of hats to be worn in this business. Making the books is just one part of it.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I have two new books that just came out. Bear Island is my newest author/illustrator picture book about a girl, Louise, and her family processing and healing over the loss of their pet dog. Much of it plays out on a lake island that Louise visits and encounters a massive grizzly bear. Follow that Frog! is the third book in a picture book trilogy by Philip Stead and me (the first two being Special Delivery and The Only Fish in the Sea). All three of these books are wild, weird, madcap adventures starring headstrong, unflappable Sadie and her eccentric Great Aunt Josephine. These books are so much fun and were so much fun to illustrate!

Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

What’s up next for you?

My next book to come out (September 7, 2021) will be What Isabella Wanted, by Candace Fleming, pictures by me. It's a fascinating picture book biography of Isabella Stewart Gardner, late 19th century world traveler and art collector who built and opened her own museum in Boston at the turn of the century. In the 1990's there was a late night heist where several priceless drawings, paintings, and artifacts were stolen, and the mystery has never been solved.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Read lots and lots of picture books. Know the past, present, and future--what's coming out next. Having that education of the world of picture books and publishing, and also knowing what you personally like and don't like, is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Definitely the original Star Wars Trilogy. (Even though the first film was a 1977 release) I was a huge Star Wars kid and am now a huge Star Wars grown-up.

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Huge thank you to Matthew for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited about your upcoming books. Congrats on all your success!

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MATTHEW CORDELL is the Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator of Wolf in the Snow and Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers, recipient of four starred reviews, and the illustrator of numerous highly acclaimed children's books including Philip C. Stead's books Follow That Frog!, The Only Fish in the Sea, and Special Delivery, which was a Washington Post Best Book. He wrote and illustrated Another Brother, Wish, and Hello! Hello!, a New York Times Notable Children's Book. Matthew lives near Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Matthew, visit him online: http://matthewcordell.com

or follow him on social media:

Twitter: @cordellmatthew

Instagram: @cordell_matthew

TO ORDER Matthew’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of FOLLOW THAT FROG?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, April 8th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Jennifer Grant

Where do you live?

I live in Chicago. I grew up here, have lived in Dallas, TX; Holland, MI; Taos, NM; Grants Pass, OR; and Brooklyn, NY. 

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, Love You More (for adults), was published in 2011, but prior, to that, I published many newspaper columns, blog posts, and articles. 

How did you first get published?

My first book for children was published in 2016. The opportunity to write it came after I did some consulting work for the publisher. (I'd submitted work to an anthology and then did some editing and cleaning up of a translated manuscript.) The editor asked me to write a picture book for them; I'd wanted to write for kids for a long time, so I was delighted for the chance! 

Do you write full-time?

Yes, I do. I also work as an editor/editorial consultant. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

I always have about a dozen stories percolating in my mind. Sometimes a snippet of conversation gives me an idea. Sometimes my dog (or another dog at the park) does something funny, and I get an idea. Sometimes, in conversation with a little kid, they'll say something hilarious or insightful and I go write that down.  

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I'm always surprised at how hard it is to get a story right and how many times I need to read it out loud before calling it "done." 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love almost everything about it. I love the creative process, getting into flow, seeing the story come alive with visual art, and I love getting to know other children's authors. 

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The promotion piece (when a book is about to launch or has just launched) is my least favorite part. I'm an introvert and having to post, Tweet, make noise about the new book on various social media platforms goes against my nature...but I know it's important as I do actually want to help people find my books.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Reading books like Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way or other creativity books can be helpful. Honestly, though, I have a few file folders, thick with slips of paper with little germs of ideas on them. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

This might sound funny, but the only thing that comes to mind is that I have a big, backyard bird feeder and I spend a lot of time watching birds. That kind of time lets me daydream (and I have written about birds on a feeder in a new board book series that comes out in a year or so) and unclutter my mind. I try to have at least 20-30 minutes of daydreamy time every day. 

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Having worked for newspapers, with many writers and editors in "grown up" publishing, I can honestly say that kid lit people are the best! They're silly, inventive, and very supportive of one another. When, for instance, A Little Blue Bottle first launched, my kid lit friends came out in force, Tweeting about it, posting reviews, and generally helping spread the word about it. 

Recommended reading?

• Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul (self-explanatory!)

• How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo (wonderful book about reading to kids at various ages, but helpful for writers, too)

• Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz (one of my favorite picture books)

• What's Cooking at 10 Garden Street by Felicita Sala (I discovered this online recently; such a delightful book about all the people in an apartment building making dinner; richly diverse, includes recipes, and I love the illustrations. I wish I had written it!)

• Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Garland (Full disclosure: Glenys, a prolific kid lit author, is a friend of mine, but honestly this is one of the best books for children I've ever read.)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My books for kids have won a few awards, which was really special. But I would have to say, the highlight of writing for kids is hearing how they connect with the books. I recently heard from my niece, who's a young mom, and she lives in Chicago and her 2 year-old loves my book Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too. She told me that, before bed, he likes her to take him outside and he shouts, "Goodnight My Neighbors" over the fence! I love that!

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Perhaps to get really involved ASAP with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Go to local or national conferences. Go to online or in-person meet-ups. It's so great to have a supportive community--I'd have gotten involved sooner if someone had told me how helpful it can be. 

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My most recently published picture book, A Little Blue Bottle, is about a friendship between a little girl and her elderly neighbor. When the neighbor dies, the girl begins to process her grief with her mother. It's a very quiet book, and I hope it will be a comfort to children who are grieving. 

Interior art from A LITTLE BLUE BOTTLE written by Jennifer Grant, Illustrated by Gillian Whiting

What’s up next for you?

In fall 2021, I have a new picture book coming out. I'm working with the artist who illustrated A Little Blue Bottle, but she has created a very different look for the book. It's a book about the pandemic, telling the story of what happened in a way that I hope will acknowledge children's experiences of this time and also bring them hope. I have a board book series (about counting, colors, and the night sky) coming out after that. 

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Sometimes people assume that, because they are short, picture books are easy to write. 

I encourage anyone who would like to write this category of kid lit to get really serious about the craft, and:

a) join the SCBWI (you don't have to have published a book yet)

b) do your homework (if you were writing a work of fiction for adults, you'd spend time plotting out the arc of the story, doing research on and creating a rich back story for the characters, and so on. Do the same for your picture book.)

c) follow your favorite picture book writers online (I recommend, for instance, the writer Josh Funk's website, and he has a lot of "writer resources" on his site, https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/)

d) remember to have fun, be playful, and let your imagination take you into wonderful places.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oh wow -- I graduated from high school in 1985, so I'm all about the 80s movies! Die Hard is my favorite 80s Christmas movie, I'm quite fond of the "Bill and Ted" movies (including the new, third one!), but as a Chicagoan, I have to say Ferris Bueller's Day Off is my all-time favorite with The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink as a close second and third. 

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Huge thank you to Jennifer for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on all your books! We can’t wait to see what you come out with next.

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JENNIFER GRANT is the author of five books for adults and several for children, including the award-winning picture book Maybe God is Like That Too. A former newspaper columnist, she lives with her husband and rescue dog Scarlett in Chicago.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jennifer or her books, visit her online at www.jennifergrant.com. Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @jennifercgrant

Instagram: @jennifergrantwriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJenniferGrant

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of any of Jennifer’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of A LITTLE BLUE BOTTLE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, January 21st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Kayla Stark

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author/illustrator Kayla Stark whose new book FRIENDS AT THE FIREHOUSE, which released in August with Chronicle Books, is one of the coolest lift-the-flap books I’ve seen in a long time! I’m so excited to share her work with you all today and continue our week of creatives that work with novelty and board books.

So without further ado, please welcome Kayla Stark!

Where do you live?

Nashville, TN USA

How many years have you been in publishing?

This is a rough approximation, but I think it’s been close to 4 years now!

How did you first get published?

Parallax Publishing reached out to me about illustrating a picture book called “Mr. Pack Rat Really Wants That”. The author saw my work on the Women Who Draw website and then asked the editor to email me. I think that’s a pretty unusual way for the publisher to reach out, but I’m so happy they did. I did a few tests before I officially landed the job. Since this was my first time working on a picture book, Parallax wanted to make sure I was up to it. 

Do you write/illustrate full-time? 

Yes, I do! I spend more time illustrating than writing at this point, but I’m hearing the siren call of writing and I can’t stay away. It’s intimidating because I’m not as practiced in writing, but I do want to pitch my own stories—and I have so many ideas!

What inspires you to create picture books? 

That’s a good question. The picture book industry seems to be where my work best fits. In the beginning I didn’t set out to make my work fit the picture book industry, but once I became friends with other picture book illustrators and learned more about the industry I felt like I had finally found a place to park my work and settle in. 

In my work I like to ask silly questions and play with ridiculous “what ifs”. Questioning and observing everything always leads me to an idea or story that begs for further exploration. 

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

I was surprised when I saw how much work and energy went into the creation and promotion of a new book. It’s a true team effort! I’m also constantly surprised by how connected the illustration/publishing world is. Everyone knows everyone!

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

There are 2 things that immediately come to mind.
#1 - I love the initial stages of a job. The research phase and open possibilities give me such a rush!
#2 - Once a book/project is finished I look forward to the promotional events. Launch parties, process posts, interviews, readings, signings etc. I’m an extroverted person and getting these opportunities to travel, meet, and speak to new people fills me up!

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Sometimes the daily monotony and isolation gets to me. It can feel like I’m working in a vacuum and treading water. It’s imperative to keep up my momentum and focus in order to finish projects. Knowing I have to power through on the days I don’t feel creative is difficult. I try to spin it in my brain and think of it as leveling up my self discipline.  

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Hmmm…I’ll try a few different things. FaceTiming a friend who gets it is the best medicine. I’m so happy (and lucky) to be friends with a number of illustrators and other artists—both local and online! I’m a part of The Warren Studio here in Nashville, TN. When I need a change of pace I’ll go in and see people, get lunch, and just have a fun day.

Some other things I’ll do when I need new ideas is— read; workout; go to a museum*; schedule a trip*; go to my list of ideas and thoughts I keep in my phone; create a new color palette and imagine what type of scene or story would use it. 

*I’m not doing these things currently due to Covid-19 safety concerns.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity? 

I used to watch a little bit of TV after waking up, however I realized that when I do that my mind wants to be entertained all day instead of getting into work mode. Now when I wake up, instead of turning on the TV, I do these things in this order to feel like it’s time for work—open the blinds, brush my teeth, wash my face, grab my coffee, and walk upstairs to my desk. 

I also like to be left alone for the first few hours of the work day. My husband has been working from home since March and I had to set up a no talking rule for the first 3 hours of the work day. 

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Wow, most everything has been positive. Hmm…something that stands out is getting to know others in the Kid Lit community on Instagram. It’s led to friendships, critique groups, collaboration opportunities, agents, meet ups, and a wonderfully fulfilling life/career. 

When I think about it, it’s crazy how many friends I’ve made through Instagram and the close knit connections of the kid lit community. 

Recommended reading?
All of Martin Salisbury’s books on picture books and illustration. 

The Fog by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Kenard Pak.

Mac Barnett’s books are always a delight.

I’ll stick to these few for this purpose, but I need to make a whole list separated into categories.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far? 

I just illustrated the covers for a new release of classic titles (The Jungle Book, Black Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and Treasure Island). It was surreal to see that job land on my desk and I am happy I was trusted to take on these beloved titles. I’ll be sharing those on my Instagram very soon along with some behind the scenes process posts! 

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

This is still a job, sometimes you are going to have to put in extra hours and work when you don’t feel like it. Somedays it will feel like you are going nowhere and somedays you’ll feel on top of the world, but most days you’ll feel somewhere in between. Ask for help when you need it, take care of yourself, take criticism (but not personally), and just keep going. You will never feel like you’ve “arrived”, so stop expecting that. You are doing what you love, celebrate that!

Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Friends at the Firehouse written and illustrated by me is a lift-the-flap journey through a firehouse. The annual parade is about to start and we need to find the missing Dalmatian puppy. There are 35 flaps to inspect and tons of details for kids to pour over. It’s published by Chronicle Books as part of their Double Booked series—which means the book is a unique die cut shape (a firehouse in this case) and opens from both sides as a gate fold! 

Interior art from Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

Interior art from Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

It’s the most complex book I’ve worked on and it took me a WHILE to wrap my mind around everything as I was laying out the illustrations. I visited 2 local fire stations before starting and took hundreds of photos. The firefighters drove me around in the truck and I got to slide down the pole like a real fire fighter!

Interior art from Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

Interior art from Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

What’s up next for you?

I have some stories of my own I’m going to pitch! So I’ll be going into writing mode and working on getting a manuscript and book dummy together.

I’m also working on a language learning vocabulary book! —along the lines of Richard Scarry’s Big Book of Words, but with my own world and characters. :)

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

I know this is said over and over again, but I believe it bears repeating. Create the work you want to get hired to do! All the time I see and talk to artists that are just waiting for someone to hire them for their dream job, but there are no clear examples in their portfolio to show they CAN do that job. You have to show you can already do something before someone will hire you do it. 

Draw and write a lot! Start building your social media platform now and engage with other people. It can be annoying to keep up with all the platforms, so pick 1-2 and post consistently!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oooh. I’ll say The Shining. I’m not a horror nut, but there’s just something about that movie.

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Huge thank you to Kayla for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book, we can’t wait to see your upcoming projects!

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After graduating with a BFA from the University of Tennessee at Martin and working for a few years as a graphic designer; KAYLA STARK decided to shift into the world of her first love—illustration! She works both digitally and traditionally, depending on the project, and is most comfortable when settling into the beginning “research” phase of projects. The traditional media she uses most often are: watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils (she is on a constant search for the perfect, scratchy pencil texture) She is naturally very curious and asks a lot of questions—this quality is a constant fuel for inspiration.

She lives in Nashville, TN in a small house with her husband and 2 cats. Most of the time she is working upstairs in her studio, but a few days a week she joins a group of friends and fellow illustrators at a co-working space in East Nashville.

Kayla’s hobbies include playing board games, participating in (almost) any event, learning languages, and planning trips (she loves public transit). Some of Kayla’s favorite topics are birds, traveling, science, animal fun facts, and history.

She has done work for various clients including Highlights Magazine, Sleeping Bear Press and Chronicle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Kayla online at www.kaylastark.com or on social media:

Instagram: @kayla_stark

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of FRIENDS AT THE FIREHOUSE click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of FRIENDS AT THE FIREHOUSE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. TWO lucky winners will be announced on Thursday, October 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Marsha Diane Arnold

Happy Thursday Critters! Today is our SECOND interview of the week! I’m thrilled to be sharing today’s interview with the prolific and talented Marsha Diane Arnold because I love her new book, LIGHTS OUT, AND because it happens to be illustrated by my incredibly brilliant friend and critique partner, Susan Reagan. LIGHTS OUT addresses light pollution, which is a topic I didn’t know much about and found fascinating while reading Marsha’s text. The art is stunning and I was lucky enough to see Sue working on this book from the very beginning. It’s always a magical thing to see a book created from start to finish. Marsha has an incredible list of books to her name and I’m so happy she could be with us today to share her creative process and journey in publishing.

So without further ado, please welcome Marsha Diane Arnold!

Where do you live?

Currently, I live in the sweet little “town” of Alva, Florida. My husband and I moved here six years ago from another sweet little town – Sebastopol, California. The move was a big change after living in Sebastopol 35 years, raising my children there and creating a half acre garden with heirloom roses and fruit trees. But I am grateful to be in Alva now, with nature preserves on two sides of our home, my daughter’s family close by, and my son’s family, at least, on the same coast.

I was born and raised in Kansas, lived in Northern California most of my life, and now call southwest Florida my home, so I’ve spanned the USA. My husband and I also had a casita in Costa Rica for years and loved having toucans and monkeys as neighbors.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first picture book, Heart of a Tiger, was published in 1995, but I wrote homegrown treasures, an award-winning newspaper column, for ten years prior to that. Though I always loved reading and majored in English literature in college, I didn’t start writing until I was in my thirties. It’s wonderful that you can come to writing at any time of life. It doesn’t matter how young or how old you are.

How did you first get published?

That was a long time ago to remember! First, I studied up. I joined SCBWI, started a writer’s group in Sebastopol (Luckily, there are many creative people in Sonoma County.), read everything I could find on the business and craft of writing picture books, and read hundreds of classic, current, and award-winning picture books (That was fairly easy as I had two young children during the time I was learning.) After thirteen rejections for the first manuscript I felt was worthy to submit, I found a wonderful editor at Penguin who loved my story as much as I did. 

Do you write full-time?

No. I have too many interests to write 40 to 80 hours a week and I can be terribly unfocused. However, it has been my main profession for most of my life. I was a stay-at-home mom and I loved it. During that time, I began writing my homegrown treasures column, which mainly revolved around home and family. Some said it was a bit like Erma Bombeck. One judge in the Best Local Columnist contest said, “she finds a universe in her back yard.” That’s really what I try to do with my picture books too: find a universe in my back yard.

Of course, things related to writing keep me busy, just as they do other writers. I enjoy school visits (now virtual), doing manuscript consultations https://marshadianearnold.com/manuscript-consultations, and sharing manuscripts with my two online writer’s groups.

What inspires you to create picture books?

So many things – children, nature, funny things I overhear. 

What surprised you the most working as an author? 

I don’t think there were a lot of surprises. I’d done so much homework and reading before I started submitting. I knew it would be a challenging career. But I suppose it’s always surprising how long it takes for a manuscript to find an editor and also that some of my most beloved manuscripts never find the right home.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Getting the author copies of my books in the mail. Publishers usually send ten to twenty “author copies” to an author right before launch date. It’s wonderful to see the book that may have taken you years…or decades… to write, and to start sharing it with others.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Working from home is such a blessing, but it’s also a challenge. There are always things that draw me away from my writing studio.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I am rusty most of the time. Ha. I get new ideas often, sometimes too often. I also have files and notebooks full of old ideas, some of them still wanting to be published. The hard part, of course, is to take an idea and craft it, with artistic flair, into a fabulous story that others will want to read, over and over again.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I am one of those people who stop in the middle of something to follow another course. I’m often distracted, always curious about something new. The only thing that is habitual is sitting myself down in a chair and starting to write. That’s the only thing that works. 

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

There have been so many wonderful experiences, at conferences and literature festivals. 

Often the positive experiences happen at school visits – the enthusiasm and interest of the students, the art and writing projects they do before and after my visits. That all happens because the educators have first shown enthusiasm and interest in my books. I’m so grateful to them.

One of the most delightful experiences I’ve had happened at Jane Yolen’s and Heidi Stemple’s very first Picture Book Boot Camp. It was held in Jane’s home and I stayed in the Aerie (the attic) where Jane used to do most of her writing, surrounded by her awards and books. You can read more about it here: https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/blogonauts/a-weekend-with-a-legend-by-marsha-diane-arnold

Recommended reading? 

Sheila Turnage’s middle grade books are so well written and such fun. You will fall in love with Miss Moses LoBeau and the other characters in the Mo & Dale Mysteries. I love all or Sheila’s books, but Three Times Lucky is my favorite.

For picture books, Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings is one of my current favorites. I have loved A Sick Day for Amos McGee for a long time; Philip Stead is a treasure.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

So many wonderful things. 

I’ve been extremely lucky to work with some of the best editors and illustrators in the business. My book Lost. Found.’s editor was the famous Neal Porter and the illustrator is Matthew Cordell, who later won the Caldecott Medal.

I’d also had a dream to one day work with the lovely and kind Kate O’Sullivan and have Renata Liwska illustrate one of my books. What a delight to have that dream come true in one book: Waiting for Snow.

Two more highlights have to do with honors, one from early in my career and a more recent one. 

When Heart of a Tiger won the Ridgway award for Best First Book by a New Author, my editor told me it was a “sweet little award,” but it meant the world to me. A ceremony was held in New York City and Penguin paid my expenses to come from California. My husband came along to celebrate. I always say it’s an award you only get one chance at; I was blessed that Heart of a Tiger won.

Recently, my bilingual Galápagos Girl, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, was chosen as the 2020 Little Read Lakeshore book in Michigan. This community read involves over 25 elementary and pre-schools, 13 libraries, and 4 plus non-profit organizations. I’m delighted so many will be enjoying my book. Sadly, I won’t be able to travel to Michigan during these times, but we are going to do some fabulously fun visits virtually.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I’d love to! I’m passionate about the subject of Lights Out - light pollution – and I adore Susan Reagan’s spectacular illustrations, which show the play between light and dark so brilliantly.

In a world filled with 

“House lights 

Car lights 

Truck lights 

Streetlights,” 

Interior art from LIGHTS OUT written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Susan Reagan

Fox and Firefly begin their search for the Dark of Night. Along their journey, across the wide, wide world, they encounter other distressed animals affected by too many artificial lights. Eventually the group comes to a seashore where baby turtles are hatching. Disoriented by the land lights, they need help to find their way into the ocean. The little group guides them into the water, swimming onward, until…well, you’ll have to see. Because at the end you will see true light in the middle of darkness. 

“Great Bear, Little 

Comet play 

Dancing moonbeams 

Milky Way”

Interior art from LIGHTS OUT written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Susan Reagan

As a child, I lived surrounded by Kansas farmland, far from city lights. I remember crawling out the second story window of my home and sitting on the roof for hours, enchanted by the constellations. My father also loved the night sky. Years after his farming work was done, he saved his money to buy a telescope and enjoyed sharing the wonders of the night with neighbors.

Today, we see less than 1 percent of the night sky compared with people of the 1600s. As Henry Beston said in Night on the Great Beach, “With lights and ever more lights, we drive the holiness and beauty of night back to the forests and the sea.” I am grateful for those who are working to reveal the night skies to the world. I look forward to finding ways to work with the International Dark Sky Association, that works to protect and restore the night sky for present and future generations.  As the Lights Out book flap says, “In a world marred by light pollution, this quest for true darkness is a clarion call to turn out the lights—so that all may see.”

Interior art from LIGHTS OUT written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Susan Reagan

What’s up next for you?

I have another book coming out, hopefully in 2022, but it hasn’t been announced yet. So, mum’s the word.

My wonderful agent is always sending out my manuscripts, which we love, but which we can’t always find an editor for. Yes, I still get many rejections. But I keep writing. The stories I’m working on now include one about a lizard, a train, and another about a smiling monster.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

There is so much available online, much of it free, to help you with your writing craft. So, Google, join Facebook writing groups, and connect with others to find information.

When I talk with children and adults about writing, I often mention the three P’s – Patience, Perseverance, and Practice. All are vital for a writer. Another thing to strive for is to not be envious and jealous of other’s success. I’m still working on this one. But remember, only you can write your stories. Focus on your unique stories and write them the best that you can.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

You’ve probably noticed I can’t just pick one. Moonstruck, Field of Dreams, E.T.

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Huge thank you to Marsha for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for LIGHTS OUT and can’t wait to see what comes next!

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Called a “born storyteller” by the media, MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD is a multi-award winning picture book author with over one million books sold. Her books have garnered honors such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (Roar of a Snore), Smithsonian Notable (The Pumpkin Runner), and the bilingual Galápagos Girl being chosen as Michigan’s Little Read Lakeshore community read for 2020. Marsha shares her love of story through school visits (virtual now), manuscript consultations, her Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books e-course (https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-character-driven-stories.html), and reading to her grandchildren. Past joys, that she doesn’t do quite as much anymore, include camping at 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada and scuba diving to 140 feet in the Blue Hole. Life has its ups and downs! Current joys are family, books, and nature.

WANT TO KNOW MORE about Marsha Diane Arnold and her books, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marshadianearnold

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marshadianearnoldauthor/

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Marsha’s new picture book, LIGHTS OUT, illustrated by Susan Reagan, click here.

TEACHER’S GUIDE Lights Out: Activities for Educators & Readers

Download the Entire Kit: https://bit.ly/LOActivities

-or-

View a Menu of Individual Activity Downloads: https://bit.ly/LOKitIntro

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LIGHTS OUT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 27th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Cassandra Federman

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so excited to have Cassandra Federman stop by today! Her debut book as an author/illustrator, THIS IS A SEA COW, just came out September 1st and IT IS ADORABLE! I can’t wait for you all to check it out!

So without further ado, please welcome…Cassandra Federman!

Where do you live?

I’m originally from Massachusetts, but I’ve lived in Los Angeles for the past 12 years.

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

About 5 years ago. I pitched an idea for a picture book to my husband (also a writer) and he encouraged me to go for it. He even got me a membership to SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for our first anniversary. I think he might know me better than I know myself.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

A lot of hard work! I hadn’t done any sketching since I was a teen, so I had a lot of catching up to do. I taught myself Photoshop, since that seemed to be the way the industry was heading. I went to as many SCBWI events, mingles, and conferences as I could. I started a critique group full of amazing individuals that I’d met at those events. I applied for every contest I could find through Twitter, kidlit blogs, and SCBWI. Finally, in 2017, I won two mentorship contests. The dummy I polished with the help of my mentors landed me my agent, Jenna Pocius. Jenna put two of my dummies out on submission and the second dummy sold in 48 hours!

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure! The manuscript always comes first for me. I know that a lot of illustrators work the other way around, but I think I’m more of a writer who illustrates than an illustrator who writes. The manuscript goes through several rounds of notes with my critique group before I send it to my agent for her thoughts. After she’s signed off, I create the book dummy. The style of illustration I use really depends on the book. For instance, This Is a Sea Cow, was designed to look like a child’s school report, so I use a lot of photography and found objects. I also hand lettered it so that the writing would look like a child’s. Other dummies of mine include a graphic novel where I use ink and half tones, and an underwater story using watercolor and various other traditional media that I scan into photoshop. Once I complete the dummy, I send it back through my critique group, then to my agent for notes. Finally it goes out on submission and I start working on the next thing. (If I’m not working on something, then waiting on responses is excruciating!)

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I think I’m lucky to be an author-illustrator because I can switch back and forth between writing and sketching, which allows me to keep the creative juices flowing. A tool I’ve found very helpful is Google docs. Whenever I get an idea I just pop it into a google doc with some notes. That way I’ve always got a list (that I can access from a phone or an iPad or a computer) of ideas to go back to.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

A digital tablet of some kind: iPad or Wacom Cintiq.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Kate Beaton, Jon Klassen, Dan Santat, Sophie Blackall, Shannon Hale, Lucy Ruth Cummins, Mo Willems, Ame Dyckman, and the list goes on!

Dream project to work on?

Oof, I don’t know. I guess any project that changes childrens’ lives for the better. Whatever THAT project is, I want to do it.

Tell us about your debut book.

This Is a Sea Cow is a fourth-wall-breaking book designed to look like a second grader’s school report on sea cows. The subject of the report does not like her portrayal, so Sea Cow--or Manatee as she prefers to be called--comes to life to set the record straight.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve got some exciting stuff in the works that I hope to be able to talk about soon!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Princess Bride. I walked down the aisle to the theme song.

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Huge thank you to Cassandra for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut! We are so excited to see what you do next!

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CASSANDRA FEDERMAN is a writer and illustrator in Los Angeles, CA. She is originally from Massachusetts, but like manatees, she hates to be cold. She wanted to grow up to be a comic book artist and a marine biologist. She decided this book accomplishes both of those things. In college she studied abroad in Belize, where she rescued an orphaned manatee. She hopes this book will result in the rescue of many more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Cassandra Federman visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter/Instagram: @CassFederman

TO ORDER Cassandra’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THIS IS A SEA COW?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 12th! US addresses only please.